Clara Martin Center to be First State Certified Community-Based Integrated Health Center
Clara Martin Center has achieved certification as the first Vermont State Certified Community-Based Integrated Health Center (CCBHC) following a rigorous evaluation process conducted jointly by the Vermont Department of Mental Health and the Vermont Department of Health, Division of Substance Use Services. Beginning on July 1, 2025, CMC will begin to provide services under the State-certified CCBHC model and continue the expansion of mental health and substance use services to residents of Orange County and the greater Upper Valley.
“On behalf of the Clara Martin Center, I am incredibly proud of the effort put forth by the agency to meet CCBHC certification criteria. This helps to insure we bring greater access to vital mental health and substance use services to our local communities and evidence based best practices to the people we serve” said Melanie Gidney, Clara Martin Center Executive Director.
The CCBHC federal model of care is designed to ensure a person-centered approach to service delivery that emphasizes a welcoming environment, recovery, wellness, trauma-informed care, and the integration of physical, mental health and substance use services. While focusing on the whole person, those who seek services will have a team to manage their healthcare needs and to connect individuals and families to supports and resources that address medical, housing, employment and other important needs.
“Achieving this certification has been transformational for Clara Martin Center and to know that this will allow CMC to address gaps in service in our region while providing new ways to support our workforce has been the focus throughout the past few years. We are excited for what lies ahead” said Christie Everett, Director of Operations.
The CCBHC model was first introduced in eight states in 2017 as part of a federal demonstration project. Since that time, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has awarded funding to clinics across the country through a competitive process to begin the development and implementation of services under the model, in anticipation of the expansion of the federal program to more states. Clara Martin Center was initially selected as a SAMHSA grantee under the CCBHC Expansion program in 2021, and Vermont was one of 10 states accepted into the expanded federal demonstration project in 2024.
